The field of public safety is dedicated to protecting and maintaining the welfare of the general public. After a year of turbulence in 2020, many Americans can appreciate now, more than ever, the importance of public safety. If you are interested in a career of service that involves keeping your community safe, you may be meant for a role within this field. While you have a passion for this mission, you may be asking yourself if a public safety degree is necessary. Why study public safety in college, and will it be worth it?

Here, we explore some of the top reasons to pursue a public safety degree today.

1. Employers’ Expectations

Most employers today prefer to hire public safety officers with postsecondary education under their belts. In fact, many require applicants to hold a degree in a related field. Special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), for example, must have a bachelor’s degree to be considered for a position on the force. After just four years of service, DEA special agents can earn $92,592 or more per year. Other high-paying government positions, such as FBI agents and correctional officers in federal prisons, also require a college degree.

This is just the start. Emergency management directors are another example of important careers that require a bachelor’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earned a median salary of $76,250 in 2020. This leads us to our next point…

2. Great Career Options

With your degree in hand, you will be eligible for a wide range of careers and positions within the field of public safety. Some of the graduates at Goodwin University go on to pursue careers in the following positions:

• Computer Security
• Corrections
• Customs and Border Protection
• Cyber Crime Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Emergency Management
• Fire Science
• First Responders
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• Law Enforcement
• Security
• Transportation Security Administration

A public safety degree can open the doors to a career that you are passionate about, and that pays well. This type of degree is just what many agencies – at the federal, state, and local levels – are looking for in prospective candidates. In order to qualify for these careers, therefore, you must take the necessary steps forward in your education.

3. Leading You to Lead

Not all of the careers listed above require a bachelor’s degree, per se, but all students who choose to pursue a public safety degree benefit from it in the long run. This degree program will enable you to become a leader in the field and make a different in today’s law enforcement and emergency response landscape.

Whether you have an interest in law enforcement, corrections, or want to work in cybercrime investigation, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge from your degree program that will carry you through your career. At a career-focused school like Goodwin, students learn from seasoned professionals. Classes are taught by retired police officers, lawyers, and other industry experts. Their first-hand knowledge and experience can provide insight better than any textbook available.

Students at Goodwin must complete the following courses in order to earn their degree:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Law
• Criminal Procedures
• Introduction to Corrections
• Criminology
• Investigative Report Writing
• Criminal Law
• Juvenile Justice in America
• Research Methods
• Risk Reduction through Environmental Design
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Multiculturalism in Public Safety and Security
• Public Policy Analysis

These classes ensure students learn the following skills and qualities:

• Grant writing
• Risk assessment
• Research methodology
• Policy analysis
• Safety and security planning
• Evidence-based decision making

The public safety degree program is interdisciplinary, meaning students can choose the path that better caters to their desired career. You can follow either a Criminal Justice or Homeland Security Track to help you meet your career goals.

4. A Launchpad for Your Career

In addition to homing in on your desired career path, a public safety degree program can help you jumpstart an exciting career. Goodwin students have access to the Career Services Team, which offers support well beyond the academics.

Students get free assistance in resume writing, interviewing, and even professional networking. Goodwin works with organizations and agencies around the state and helps students gain internships and, in some cases, jobs upon graduation. The Career Services Team will always work with you, whether you are a current student or alum who already graduated, to make sure you are in a job that you love.

5. A Degree with Flexibility

The idea of completing a degree program – especially if you are working part-time or full-time – can be daunting. This is why it is important to find a program that offers flexibility. At Goodwin, for example, students can take classes during the day or at night, depending on your needs.

We understand that fitting in study time can be a challenge, and we understand that life does not stop once you start a degree program. We are all about convenience and believe students should be able to earn a degree without putting their lives on hold.

With a degree in public safety, you will be prepared to help protect and serve your community with confidence and leadership skills required for success. You will make an important difference in the world, and you will help save lives just by clocking in to work each day. Why study public safety? The better question may be, “Why not?”

If you are ready to jumpstart your career in public safety, reach out to Goodwin University today. Call us at 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.